Defending champions Bermuda are through to tomorrow's final of the Caribbean Rugby Championships following this far from convincing victory in Barbados yesterday.

Ultimately it took a sparkling try from skipper Alvin Harvey late in the game to secure Bermuda's triumph.

Their opponents tomorrow will be Trinidad who also struggled in an 18-13 victory over Martinique.

The underdog Bahamian team came out fired up for yesterday's semi-final and, according to Bermuda coach Kieron Peacock, looked the better side for much of what proved to be a fierce encounter with a number of skirmishes.

In the end only some resolute defending and opportunism on Bermuda's part prevented a major upset.

Bermuda got off to a fine start when, after just four minutes from a scrimmage 30 metres out, Gareth Davis broke on the blind side, fed Peter Shillingford who in turn handed off to Harvey who ran under the posts for a try which Alan Oliver converted.

However, the Bahamas roared back and during a period of intense pressure scored two penalties to reduce the score to 7-6.

Bermuda then produced their best period of play with fine runs by Mike Gorrie, Ashley Redmond and Billy McNiven resulting in a number of attacking scrimmages and line-outs. Eventually the pressure paid off when Davis, Stewart and Field combined to release Daniel Olsen for his third try of the tournament.

Soon after Oliver kicked a penalty and at 15-6 it looked as though Bermuda were beginning to establish superiority.

But the Bahamas had other ideas and just four minutes into the second half they scored a try from a line-out to make it 15-11 and put themselves right back into the game.

For the next 10 minutes Bermuda were forced on the defensive as Bahamas surged forward but with no reward.

Late in the game they were awarded a kickable penalty but opted to run the ball. Bermuda, however, regained possession, Davis fed Gorrie who in turn released Harvey just inside the 22 metre line.

Harvey then sold a dummy before sprinting 75 metres down the right touchline to score a sensational match-winning try.

Oliver kicked the conversion and Bermuda breathed a sigh of relief.

Bahamas kicked another penalty to make it 22-14 but it proved too little too late.

Commented coach Peacock afterwards: "It's often said that it's a good side that plays badly and wins. And that was definitely the case today.

"I believe the two best sides have progressed to the final and that match could be anyone's game.'' Trinidad got past Martinique only thanks to two late penalties in a game which Trinidad had started as heavy favourites.

Three members of the Bermuda rugby squad received a scare when they were involved in a freak car accident on Monday in Barbados.

Bobby Hurdle, Scott Correia and Heath Robinson escaped with minor injuries when their rental car rolled over after hitting a large pot hole.

The players were on their way back to their hotel for the afternoon training session when they hit the pot hole, causing the inside front wheel of the car to collapse and initiating a roll.

Robinson and Correia were able to train immediately following the incident but Hurdle received stitches behind his left ear and did not play in yesterday's match against the Bahamas.